Candidate Quits House Race

March 23, 1989

NEWPORT NEWS — Harry New, a real estate broker who had announced his candidacy for a House of Delegates race, has withdrawn from the contest for what he called "personal reasons."

New, 75, announced earlier this month that he would challenge Aubrey Fitzgerald for the Republican nomination for the 94th District House seat. The Republican winner would then challenge incumbent Democrat Alan Diamonstein in November.

New said Wednesday that he is involved in a pending civil lawsuit that will take too much time away from his campaign, and therefore he decided to drop out. He declined to be specific about the lawsuit.

"I hate to have to make this withdrawal, but it looks like it is not in the cards," New said.

New has made several attempts at local office but has never been elected. Despite the latest setback, New said he would help campaign for the Republican nominees throughout the city.

"The purpose of my running in the first place was to get the Republicans a majority" in the General Assembly, New said.